Virat Kohli suffers blow to right eye during IPL opener

The Royal Challengers Bangalore captain spilt a catch which struck him in the face during the Mumbai Indians innings

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Virat Kohli escaped serious injury after being struck near the eye during Royal Challengers Bangalore's Indian Premier League opener against Mumbai Indians in Chennai.

The India skipper put down Krunal Pandya off Kyle Jamieson at mid-off from the first ball of the penultimate over of the Mumbai innings.

OUCH! 😬

Virat Kohli drops a chance as Krunal Pandya smashes the ball at him, the ball bursts through his hands and hits him in the face... he's OK to continue.#MI 153-5 in the 19th. #IPL2021

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— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) April 9, 2021

Kohli allowed the driven delivery to burst through his fingers and catch him near the right eye.

He immediately clutched his face but remained on the field without receiving treatment following a short conversation with the RCB bench.

At the conclusion of the innings - the defending champions made 159 for 9 from their 20 overs - Kohli was seen administering the blow with ice as the team made their way from the field.

Despite the injury, which caused immediate swelling, Kohli was deemed fit to open the innings for RCB as they pursued 160 to win the first match of the competition.

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